Airship.



w REIFEHSCHEID.

MRSHIP.

APPLICATION FMD MAR. a. i911.

Patented Jan. 14, 1919.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Mau.

'l' n MMS- W. REIFERSCHEID.

AIHSHIP.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 8. 19H.

1 ,29 1,686. Patented. Jun. 14, 1.919.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

man sinrs Arana onirica.

WILLIAM REIFERSCHEID, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

.To all whom t 'nu/l/ r;01/,( .c'/n: V

-Be .itl knownthat I, vienna Rinifnie' sciiiiin, a citizen ol5 the United States, andy resident of Chicago, in the county ofl Cook and State of Illinois, have invented Y ce'i'- tainv new `and useful` Improvements in Airships, of; which the following is a description, retin-ence being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a ypart of my specification. i

My invention reiat'es to improvements in aiizships of the dirigible. type, and has for its object the provision ol' a suitable frame adapted to encircle or surround'y the gasholding means `or bag and pi'ovide'a suitable support tot a cab or car, as well as for the power generating and imparting means; the t'raniebeing provided with a suitable net to nniintai'nor hold the gas-bag or gasholdingy means in proper conditioiiwithin the metallic. frame7 .but out of immediate contact therewith and prevent any ypossible injury tolthe gas-bag or bags due Vto improper Contact.' with the frame.

One object of my invention is to provide asuitable metallic frame ot"comparatively light metal sofo'rined and secured together as to provide'a construction possessing sullicient strength and rigidity not only as an inclosure "lor the gas-bag but also permit of a suitable car or platform to be suspended therefrom; v,the latter being also constructed ot' singular material.

nothei" object of the invention is to provide'a construction wherein several gas-bags are employedand arranged independent of each other g, the frame being so arranged as to proridea vertical passageway through the gas-bag. holding portion of the frame from lower or car-side to the top of the air-ship at a'point intermediate of the ends of the air-ship: .n

Another objocfot the invention is to provide an aii-shipororidivl with a pluralit \v ol steering` propcilers'- mounted in ladjustable carriers or trai'nes--at opposite eiiijs of the ship which enaliile the steering pi'opellcrs to be moved through arcs oi' horizontally disposed circleswhereby the ship may be steered in the desired direction of travel in the same horizontal plane, or be caused to `turn bodily on an imaginary axis through the aril of a circle if desired; or the propellers at opposite ends made to pull against f' AIRSHIP.'

each other4 and the fship thus Substantially held againsthorizontal movement; these vsteering propellei's being adjustable so as to constantly pulll in thefdirection of travel exeeptunder 'theeondition last mentioned and when it is desired to ascend or descend.

A 'furtherobject of the invention vis to provide a plurality of what may be termed power propellers vmounted on adjustable I Specification of Letters Batent. Pt'iillted Jan. 14, 1919. l Application filed Maxcli'. 1917.v Serial 'Noi 1r53,4(i5.i i I shafts at opposite ends of the air-ship and preferably-on opposite sides of the steering impaired or affected; these propellers eniabling the'pilot or operator to maintain the air-ship in the'desired airr current found most favorable or eonducive'to, rapidtravel" in the desired direction. The last mentioned set ojt' propellers are also designed to enable the pilot or operator to prevent the air-ship rising beyond the'altitude desiredv when thev load or ballast. of the aii'-ship has beenl changed or affected; these propelleis being so adjustable as to permit them? to exerta pulling force against the `rising tendency of the gas-bags.

rlhe steering propellers and power propellcrs are arranged at both ends ol" the air-ship, the propellers at opposite ends of 465 propellers; the shaft of each of said power. propellers being controlled by suitable means.

the ship'being independently 'controllable I and adjustable; the steering propelleis lat opposite ends of the air-ship.'permitting such adjusti'nent that the one will counteract tlm other and thus 'result inthe air-ship being' held substantially stationary at'aiiy desired point and place in the air; while the power propelleis at both ends ofthe` airi ship may at such time be adjusted so as to hold the air-ship against upward movement or vice versa; or induce the air-ship to des" scend in a substantially perpendicular direction.

A vfurther object of the invention is to provide iiie'ans, under the control of the op-v 75 to assist the buoyancy of the gasba'gs in the f event ot their lifting power having become* erator or pilot, for maintaining the gasbags improper-expanded condition regardless of whether the gas expands or contracts through the action vof varying atmospheric conditions or temperatures.

The foregoing' enumerated objects and advantages obtained thereby, as well as other advantages inherent' in the construction, will be more fully comprehended from the following detailed description `of the construction illustrated in the accompanying' drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved air-ship with a portion at the righthand end broken away.

Fig. 2'is a vertical central sectional view,

taken'on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. I Fig. 3 is an end view of my improved airship.

' Fig. 4; is a detail longitudinral sectional view of a portion of one end of the housings or frame for the power propellers.

Fig. 5 is an end view of the detail illustratedin Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of a portion of the power-'transmitting shafts' and frame or support therefor; the frame illustrating the intermediate portion of the power-'propeller carrying frame and a portion of the steering propeller frame.

Fig. 7 is a detail view, partially in section,

. illustrating the preferred formation of the metallic elements or truss members employed for the lower or cab-portion of the rame.

Fig. 8 is a detail view of another portion of frame illustrating the formation of the metallic members preferably employed for .the upper or gas-bag containing portion of the construction illustrated contemplating two gas-bags arranged end for endv on oppositesides of the vertical center of the frame, as more clearly shown in Fig. 2, where the end of one gas-bag-lO is shown arranged on the opposite side of the central vertical passage'with'which the gas-bagholding frame of the ship is provided, as will hereinafter i be described.

I prefer that the gas-bags be kept out ofy direct contact with the frame of the airshlp, and forthat reason have shown the nearest y gas-bag holding frame provided with a suit- Aof the frame is not shown provided with netting. I

Each gas-bag is preferably provided with an inflatable member'or balloon shown in dotted lines at 12in Figs. 1 and 2; theballoon in Fig.- 2 being shown in collapsed or non-inflated condition. The iniatable members or balloons. 12 are provided for the purpose of compensating for the expansion and contraction ofthe'gas within the bags through the action of atmospheric conditions; the object of the inflatable members or balloons being to maintain the gas-bags in expanded or infiated'condition when'the gas within the bags contracts; the inflatable members or balloons, however, having no communication' with the interior of the gasba s, as will be hereinafter described.

. ne object of my invention, as illustrated in the drawings, is to provide a frame composed of thin sheet metal, such as tin ,and the like; the respective elements or members ofthe frame and the general construction thereof being such that a very light airship may be obtained; with the frame, however, possessing the requisitestrength necessaryv to support the suspended car or plat- .forml for the operators, passengers and motors for operating and controlling the propellers. 0f truss members arranged so as to trans- The frame, therefore, consists mit pressure endwise; the various truss members having their 'top and bottom chords and braces individually composed I of thin sheet metal. The chords of the truss members 13 employed in the gas-bagl holding frame are pre erably constructed as shown in the detail view, Fig. 8, namely sheet metal bent longitudinally so as to present the pentagonal shape in cross-section as shown at 13a, 13a inAFig. 8; while the intermediate or brace portions 13b are com` posed of sheet metal tubing, rectangular in cross-section as shown in section in Fig. 8-

at 14a. These respective portions are suitablyv secured together.` The diagonal braces 14 of the truss members extend diagonally from one chord 13a to the otherchord 13a of a truss intermediate of adjacent brace portions 13b, (see Fig. 3), and are preferably composed of thin s'heetmetal having the longitudinal edges bent atv right angles' sol as to providebraces of channel form; the edges o thechannel sides or legs being preferably bent back upon themselves or headed. The respective chords and braces of the truss-members are, of course, secured together at their abutting points in any suitable manner, as by welding or soldering.

By bending and forming the respective por` 5 tionsof the truss-members, as described,

they provdesuftcient strength and rigidity; thelbeiitl vedgesr` reinforcing theV elements aga'sinst. lateral or transverse bending. '.The gas-bagy containing frame portion consists of i a" series of transversely arranged'encircling members, preferably octagonal, as clearly shown in 3; the members at the ends of the gas-bagvgholding frame being of gradu ally-decreasing diameter so as to provide i5 tapering Sends tothe ship; the encircling frain'e' members 15, which constitute the main orintermediate portion of the ship, are' preferably all of the same size or diame- -""ter,`vv`as .shownii:i Fig. 1, while each succeeding 2o transversely' disposed frame member 16, at

botlijends ofthe ship, is of gradually decreasingdiameter or size, as shown in Figs Y'1 and The Various angles orcorners of theoctagonal frameinembers are all united tojtlie"longitudinally disposed frame inembers 17,whicli are also preferably formed in tliefnatf'ure of truss members, as more clearly shown iii Fig 1;' the respective 4portions ol lthe's'e'trussmembers being preferably comv posed like' the' truss membersfconstituting tliei-sidjes-of the ootagona'l frames aspreviously'described; the chord portion whereofy illustrated Fig. 8.

The. gfsibag containing portion of the fra'n'iefi's shown ,provided at a point intermediateofftlie' ends, "to wit, preferably 'at a central' point in proximity to the longitudinalfcenterlline thereof, with avertically tdfisposed shaft'or open space arranged inter- 40 mediate'of'the -two gas-bags. The .walls of thijshlaft l'or passageway are formed by the vertically disposed ladders, shown at 18 in Fig.' 2, for the purpose ofv enabling the op- -`erator to go to the'top of the air-ship.

y 5o" The 'ladder formation of frame for the passageii'aiy'may also lprovide means for further anfchoring the respective sides or angles n .of theih'termediate encircling frame-mem- 'ber,'15,"as' illustrated in Fig. 2, where the tiewires' 18av are secured to the ladder in the radial manner the tie-wires being preferably secured together by means of the circumferentially disposed tie-wires 1S", thusv providing the vspider-web formation y shown` in Fig.`2, whereby a rigid and strong A'con- GS tainingy 'frame' is desideratuni, to wit lightness.

struction `is obtained withoutsacrificing the In addition to the longitudinally.disposed ienibers 17 ofthe frame,' the gas-bagl coni-ir #esta Paridad lsv. af

with suitable tie-rods or wires 19 disposed in the diagonal manner, shown in Fig.v l;

any suitable iiuniherof tie-wiresy or rods 19 .being employed to assist in maintaining the trainerig'id; A' i v4' lheu'nderside of the gas-bag containing frame is provided with a suitable cark or, cab

in the nature of a Y, as clearly shown in Fig.v

7, wherein'lthe top chord is shown comprising the triangular transversely disposed portion 21 preferably composed of asheet metal channel, with the edges of the legs or sides' of. the channel bent in ward upon them selves, as indicated in dotted lines, with the corners of the triangular portion 2l pro-.

vided with the longitudinal members 21"., 2l" composedof sheet metal bent longitudinally into the pentagonal configuration in cross- Jsection. The"perpendicularportion 'or bracel 21c of the truss-member is composed of the sheet metal tubing preferably rectangular in cross-section.

The lower chord or longitudinal portion .gular portion 21, into the pentagonal con-` figuration in cross-section, as clearly shown in Fig. 7. The respective portions or parts of the truss-members are suitably4 secured to` getlier, and. with the diagonal braces 21",

whih may be similar in construction with the braces 14, provide a very lirm and rigid construction.v composed of aseries of upwardly converging truss frame members 21; the upper ends whereof are properly secured to the under side of the gas-bag frame; and the car or eab braced against lateral movement by means of the bracing members or struts 22 secured to the upright members 21 at a distance somewhat removed from the upper ends and to the opposite sides of the lower surface of the balloon frame. 'lhe respei tive elements of the struts 22 are preferably formed like the truss-members of the car frame just described. l

The ends of the cab or car are provided with extensions or longitudinally disposed frames 23, atI each end of the cab or car; the extensions being' also preferably composed Aof sheet metal formed in a manner similar to as` heretofore dey scribed.

that of the car-frame,

Mounted in each frame or veiitension, 23 is a vertically disposed l propeller oai rying The car or cab 2() is shownv frame 24:l (Whichfinay be constructed like the other portion of the carfframe) pi'votally 'secured at its ,top `in the frame 23 andjon` its, bottom on vertically `disposed "sleeve 25,` see l sheet metal secured together at the r engaging'ends by Fig. 6; the-sleeve having bearnl in the l p on the tubing 27 of the transverse1y disposed propeller frame; the ytubing being maintained' in parallel andspaced relation by means of the double angle braces cross-member or block 26 mounte rectangular or square formation in crosssection, as shown endsy of the angle in Figs. 5 and 6;`the inner braces or frames 28 being adapted tojprovide bearing for the sleeves 29 and 30, as shown in Fig. 6. The upper and lower portions of this frame are, m'ainf tained in proper relation by means of -a' suit-v able encircling band or member 31, see Fig. 6, which may. consist of channeled stri s of means of flat strips, welded or otherwise secured to adjacent portions of.

the frame-.members and passing across the tubing 27 of the frame.

Each vertically arranged frame '24 is provided with a horizontally disposed shaft 32 on which is mounted a vertically disposed steering propeller 33; namely one propeller at each endl of lthecai', as shown in Fig. 1. Thefsleeve or extended hub-portion o f the' propeller is provided with a suit-able beveled i gear 34 which/ meshes with bevel gear 35 secured tothe upper end of the vertically disposedshaft 36 which, extends through thesleeve and into the frame 24, as shown iii Figs. f1 and 6. The lower outer end of each shaft 36 is provided with a suitable bevel gear 37, see Fig. @arranged in mesh'with vel gear 38 keyed on the transverselyV disposed line shaft'39.A The gear 38"also has meshingwith it bevel gear40 secured to the powishaft. 41 driven byua suitable motor 42? In thepartifcular exempliication of the` invention, ,thel air-ship is shown provided power-Shaft :41 leading towardopposite ends,

of the carorcab sofas to impart power to the propellers at op osite ends of'tlieaiif-sliip.

The sleeve-2 of thesteernigpropeller carrier. frameg24,"at Aits outer en of theopeating rod or shaft 45; it'being understood `that `the operating rod or shaft, as well as all' ler operating mechanism, is; similar struction at both ends oftheairs'hi ,so that" a description of one member, oreeinentat one`end.of the air-shipwill sulice.

The sleeve 25 affords suitable-beaii'rig fori ,A same end of the ship,l

shaft 36. and is properly secured iiilthe bleek of the frame 24 so that-rotation of the sleeve 25, through operation of rod 45, and worm 44 meshingwith worm-gear 43, will cause the frame 24 to be swung through a horizontally disposed ciicle or any desired arc or de ree of a circle. -The'rod45 extends tothe pi ot stand 47, beingmounted iii suitl able bearings; the pilot stand being prop -pellers 33 to ,28, so as to provide the in Fig. 3, the

-.of th of this framework terminating in the houster, terminating provide a. cup or sleeve.

propelin colis.-v

-the car, so that they may be" fthe samearcs or degrees of a unison or independently. Where it i's' de- Lacasse vided with suitable mechanism whereby the -'pilot is enabled to rotate or control the rods 45,-extendihg' ai rship,'-thereby inducin vthe steering proy in ,the desiredtoward opposite sides of the move latera direction.

^ The transve is provided at each end vgitha bevel gear 48, see Fig. 4, where merely one'rv end of, the shaft is shown. The gear 49 keyed to the perpendicular shaft 50 which has suitable antifriction bearing, as at 51, in Ithegear housing 52. As will be -seen rods 27 'is disposed transversely of the ends e car or cab of the ship, with the ends ings 52, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. F

The outer end of each shaft 50 is provided with a suitable propeller 53;v these propel,- R1ers, of which-there each'end of the car,

are preferably two at constitute thepower propellers; the propellers 53 being locatedpreferably beyond the sides of the car-frame, as shown in Fig. 3. The'housings y52 havetheir inner or closed sides tapered towardnthelcenin the hub potio'il @2a to which the sleeves ely disposed power- .shaft 39 gear48 meshes with a bevel I' l framework'composed of the 29 and 30, respectively, arefsecured at the end by means of similar mem bers, as shown at 54 'in Fig. 4 which may be* 2 at the outer ends of sleeves ,157a on the end of the shaft 5 8 which leads to the pilot stand 47, while sleeve 30 is rotated by means of worin gear 5 6 meshing with Worin 57 on the end of rod or shaft 58; The

rods 58 and .58 are both' adapted be controlled by the pilot through'the medium of suitable mechanism which will enable the pilot to eimbsrmultaneou ly orindependentlymanipulate the dideren 1ers atthe same, and also at oppositeends of itoved through rcle either in siiedto control the two pippellei's 53 at the the two worm-shafts leading to the same end of the ship may -be operatively connected by sprockets and chain as for example shown iiigfFig. 6 by, chain 75' and sprocket-76 sho'Wnin dotted `lilies on shaft 58 and sprocketr 77on-shaft 58a.-

t powei'propell'impart similar movement r spectively; the rotation of f .The propellers153, as is' apparent from the *construction shown, are intended tov swing through vertically disposed circles and are adapted to either assist in maintaining the :altitude of the ship, or the equilibrium there- Should it be desired to have the air-ship `rise in a perpendicular manner, the i'four power propelleis 53 are positioned so as to `be below the carrying frame, thereby presentingthc cutting side of the propeller npr.

A. ,wai'dwhereas if itis desired to despendin l r aperpendicular nia1n1erthe four power propelleIS 53 .are reversed, as illustrated in. F ig.

3,'-tlie `propellers set in motion by means of the motor or motors. When the propellers are swung below the transverse frame and the .housings 52, the propellers will assist the gas-bags in ,lifting the air-ship and induce @it to ascend in a substantially perpendicular .inanner, at which time the steering'projpellers. 33-need not be .put in motion. If it isde'siredto have the air-ship make. a land- .l .ing, fthef propellers 53 are then swung through the are .of a vertically disposed cirl cle seas to be above the carrier-frame or the jhoiisings 52; this being accomplished by ..proper-operation of the vcontrolling rods or shafts 58 and 58% Should it be desired to .,idescendin a gradually declining manner, 30,-

then` the propellers 53 are disposed slightly .atanangle to the perpendicular and in a ",plane above the housings 52 or transverse i: .-carrierfframei 'Where the desired altitude i i lof the airship is obtained through the buoyva1i cy..ot.tlie gas-bags, the power-propellers will be kept idle and mei'ely steering pro- -pellers 33 employed for steering the ship inl a)the :desired horizontal direction.

For ex- A i] -ample with the propeller-carrying frames if@` swung -into the position indicated in Fig: 1. the steering propellers 33 will tend to guide ,theair-ship horizontally toward the left in said ligure.` Should it be desired to reverse the direction, then the carrier-frames 24 are swung about on their pivotal points by means of shafts 45, worms 44, 44 and worm-gears 43, 43, mounted on sleeves 25,

25 secured to the lower part of each vertically disposed carrier-frame soV that the propellers 33 will present their cutting faces in .the opposite direction, thus completely reversing the direction of travel of the air- ;fship; It will be understood, of course, that 4movement of the carrier-frames 24, 24,

through ninety, or a. lesser number of de- .;grees ot' a circle, will induce the steering propellers' 33, 33 to direct the air-ship so as 'oto'.eauseiit to swing horizontally. A The propellers 33 and 53 are all similar in` construction and formation, so that the y ,general description of a single propeller will 'sutiiceas a description of all the propellers.

i The propellerscomprisea central portion brnshaftreceiving disk! 60 which is formed dicated at G2` which also forms a means for securing the blades 6l to the center or shaftreceiving plate 60. The angular portion or 'flange 62 corresponds with the amount of slope or pitch given the blades at their inner ends. The blades extend outward from the vshaft substantially at right angles with the cutting edges 63 (see steering propeller -l in Fig. 3) all disposed in the saine plane: that is, the cutting edges 63 are all llush with the face of the plate G0, 'see propeller4 in Fig. 3.

The outer ends of the cutting edges G3 are shim'n provided with small sleeves or ,sockets ('4 which receive the bent ends of brace rods G5, the other ends of the rods (i5 terminan ing at the lower outer end oiE the rear edge of the preceding blade, where the rods are secured to thecircumferential brace oriing 66 to which the lower ends ot the blades are secured by means ol" a sleeve formation,

. which sleeve 'formation may be produced by an integral extension ot' the rear outer ends of the propellers and bent about the circumferential brace (36 and soldered or otherwise secured thereto. The blades are curved downwardly toward their rear edges, as shown at 67, so as to offer the greatest resistance to the air. and thus enable a pulling power to be obtained when the propellers are revolved in proper direction so as to present their straight cutting edges in the direction of rotation. The center plate 60 is shown provided with a. sha'ltaeeeiviug sleeve 68 which extends slightlv beyond the l'ront side ot the propeller and forms a bearing against the frame 52, as shown to the under side of the propellers as illustrated in Fig. while tlievslceve extends a considerable. dis tance. toward the rear ot the propeller and has its rear end provided with a flange or small disk 69 to which the brace rods or tie wires 70 are secured; the other ends oi the brace rods or tie wires 70 being secured to the circumferential brace 6G. The construction shown and described provides a .very rigid propeller; enabling the. propeller to be, made of thin sheet metal having the outer ends at both forward and rear'edges of the blades securely braced. The. pro pellers are, of couise, maintaiiied on their respective shafts by suitable nuts and wasliers. f Y 1 With my improved construction., should it be desired to maintain the. air-sliip above a given point, in other words to hold it substantially stationary against the action of the air currents, then the propellersat one end of the air-ship may be moved so .as to counteract the action of the propellers at the opposite end, in other words so that the propellers at both ends are bodily swung through arcs of circles so as topresent the ar v he gas-bags 10 are shown provided withthe small inflatable members or balloons, indicated in dotted lines at 12 in Figs. 1 and 2; the balloons. 12 being intended to be in- Hated with air when the gas in the gasbags'contracts, so that the gas-bags may be 'maintained in their inflated or distended condition. The vballoons 12 are mounted within the respective gas-bags 10, preferably at the inner ends',.as shown in Fig. 1, and aresecured to the ends of the ramied tube or piping 71 which communicates with av suitable air com ressor orair-forcing element, shown at 2 in Fig. 1, whereby, air will be forced Vthrough the tube or piping 71 and into the balloons. As soon as conditions are such thatthe air balloons need no lon er be inliated, the air will be allowed to freely escape through the piping 71, at which 'time the air-forcing element 72 will, of course, be shutl olf or put 'out of operation." It will be'readilv understood-that the air-forcing element, 72 may be driven by connecting the same in any suitable manner to one 'of the motors 42.

The pilot Sand 47, it will be understooa,

vmay be provided with crank shafts or any other suitable mechanism for operating the various controlling shafts whereby the positions of the propellers` relative to their power-transmitting shafts, may be determined. In practice, the framework and load of the air-ship may overbalance, to va more or less extent, the buoyancy of the gas-bags, so that the elevation of the air-ship may be controlled by the power propellers- 53. 1t

is readily apparent that with the respective propellers in rotation, the positioning of the different propellers may be readily ac-v complished without the exertion of any great power, due to the gyroscopic action, so that the pilot can readily swing or move the propellers into any desired position whereby the e'ect desired or direction of travel will be obtained; the steering propellers being so positioned and rotatingso as to alwayseX- ert a pull in the direction of travel. except when ascending and descending.

I have shown and described what I believe to be the best and simplest form of my invention, whereby the desired lightness will be had and at the sam-e time the necessary naaaeee rigidity obtained; it is apparent, however, that the construction may be varied in cer.- tain details without, however, departing from the spirit of myV invention.

1WhatI claim as my invention is 1. An air-ship, comprising gas-holding means, a car supported by said meansv and provided with power-generating apparatus, the opposite ends of said car being provided with verticallyv disposed pivoted frames adapted to have movement inl a horizontal circular manner, a propeller mounted'on a fixed horizontal airis inl-each of said frames, means for separatelyv imparting movement.

'through vertically disposed circles, and

means 'disposed lengthwise of said transverse framesfor separately imparting move'` ment to' said' housings and to said last mentioned propellers. 4

2. An air-ship 'provided with a gas-bag containing frame havin a vertical passageway or'shaft leading romtop tok bottom,' v

said frame consisting` of series `of trans'- versely disposed andlongitudinally disposed truss-members, netting within' said frame arranged so as to maintain the gas-bag vout of contact with the frame, and a frame suspended beneath the gas-bag containingframe, the upright portions of said suspend'- ed frame converging toward the uppere'nds', and side vbraces or struts adjacent the upper ends of the suspended lframe for maintain ing the latter against sidewise'lovement.

3. An air-ship provided/with a gas-ba containing frame and aslspended car, sai frame and car being/ composed of trussmembers composed, of thin sheet metal,y the bracesy of the respectivetruss-members being composed of tubing rectangular incross-section, while the chords are oomposed'of channels pentagonal shape inY cross-section, with the open sides of the channels receiving the ends of said braces.

4. An air-ship, the frame whereof is composed-of a series oftiuss-members, the vari ous4 elements/of the truss-members being composed of thir. sheet metal having' thelongitudinal edges thereof bentso. as to reinforce said elements-transversely, the oppo# site ends of the air-ship being provided with l transversely disposed frames, power" shaftseach of saidframes being providedfwith a plurality of propellers, a portion whereofA are adapted to be bodily moved through horizontally disposed circles while the other 'and sleeve shafts mounted in vsaid frames,

Lampes portion are adapted to .be bodily moved through vertically disposedl circles, said power shafts being in operative engagement with the axes of the dilferent propellers so as to rotate the same, While the sleeve shafts are in operative relation with the propeller axes-bearings and adapted to move the same through arcs of circles, and means, controllable from a common point, whereby the sleeve shafts may be actuated.

5. An air-ship provided With a as-bag holding frame and a oar suspendedg therefrom, means mounted within the gas-bag holding frame for maintaining the gas-bag out of frictional contact with the frame, inflatable means located within the gas-bag for maintaining the inated condition of the latter, a plurality of propellers mounted at e each end of the car, a portion of said propellers beingI disposed vertically and adapted to bodily move through horizontally disposed circles to act as steering propellers, While the other portion of said propellers are adapted to be moved bodily through vertically disposed circles and act as power propellers, and means for controlling :the positions of the respective propellers.

. 6. An air-ship provided with a gas-bag holding frame composed of truss-members of thin sheet metal, a car suspended from.

said frame, the car-frame being composed of thin sheet metal truss-members, a' transversely disposed frame at each end of the car, said frames being provided with a plurality of propeller-carrying housings rotatably mounted at the ends ofthe frames and at an intermediate point, Propellers, the axes whereof are mounted in said housings, the said housings intermediate of the ends of the frames being adapted to swing through horizontally disposed circles, while the housings at the ends of the frames are adapted to swing through vertically disposed circles, and means for separately c'ontrolling the propellers and said housings'.

WILLIAM REFERSCHEID.

Witnesses:

GEORGE HEIDMAN, F. A. FLoRELL. 

